FAIRFIELD — The school board for School Administrative District 49 recently appointed a new principal to oversee Albion Elementary School and Fairfield Primary School.

Pam Blaise Courtesy photo

Pam Blaise was named the principal in September and she said her intention is to lift up students and staff by building a culture of support.

“Building relationships with the students, teachers and the families is really important to me,” Blaise said in an email.

Prior to her new role, Blaise worked at the Benton Elementary School as the assistant vice principal for seven years. She has worked in the education field for nearly 25 years, with almost 17 years in schools serving kindergarten through third grades.

Blaise and her colleagues face some significant changes in the next couple of years.

Plans are moving forward to build a $45.6 million consolidated elementary school in Benton and have it open by the end of 2025 on land adjacent to Benton Elementary School. The introduction of the new school would lead to the closure of Albion Elementary, Fairfield Primary and Clinton Elementary schools.

SAD 49 leaders intend to move prekindergarten through second grade to Benton Elementary, and third through sixth grade to the new building.

“Our administrative team has been preparing for school consolidation,” Blaise said. “We will work collaboratively to ensure that our teachers are supported throughout this transition.”

She later added, “I am very excited to continue to be a part of SAD 49 in this principal capacity.”

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